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And now Peru isn’t just known for being the homeland of a friendly bear with a penchant for marmalade (Paddington Bear, for those youngsters among you).

The two-time Copa America winners haven’t pitched up on football’s grandest stage since 1982, but they ended their hiatus after finishing in the play-off spots in the tough South American qualifying league and seeing off New Zealand without conceding a goal over two legs to earn their return.

They will be determined to make the most of their moment in the spotlight.

Here are your top options in Dubai for watching the match...

Fan Zones:

Atlantis The PalmOne of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks is going all-out for this year’s festival with what it’s calling “the ultimate” World Cup Fan Zone. Every match will be streamed in the Atlantis World Cup Fan Zone, which has capacity for more than 2,000 fans. With a whopping great 28sq m screen as the centrepiece, the fan zone will be split into two distinct areas. The Stadium will be the main viewing arena for fans, with the huge screen and more, while The Bench will have a chilled out vibe with a gamer’s corner, dedicated PS4 stand and even a chance to win a trip to the country that wins the World Cup. This is probably going to be one of the coolest places to catch the whole tournament. For big matches, booking a table is recommended and there’s a minimum spend of Dhs1,000. Free (ladies), Dhs100 (gents, including two drinks). Open daily throughout tournament during matches. Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, fanzone@atlantisthepalm.com (04 426 2626).

BarastiPromising to bring “the best football experience Dubai has ever seen”, Barasti will be launching two fan zones for the World Cup. The Barasti SuperDome will have giant screens, live DJs, room for 8,000 fans and more, right down on the beach. Meanwhile, the middle deck will have its air-conditioned tent and giant, 12-metre-wide screen as per usual, so there are two areas to choose from.Open Sat-Wed 10am-1am; Thu-Fri 10am-2.30am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (04 318 1313).

Fairmont AjmanSlightly further afield, you can head to Fairmont Ajman, where you’ll be able to hang out in the hotel’s “World Cup Arena”, with tonnes of screens, promotions, shisha and more available. VIP tables and three private majlis are available for hire on match day, too. Open daily, timings vary. Fairmont Ajman, Ajman (06 701 5757).

Fairmont The Palm Dubai’s World Cup TentA huge tent is being constructed at this top-notch hotel on the Palm – dedicated purely to showing every match of the World Cup. There’ll be two screens showing the games, and a range of promotions will be running throughout the month, along with a Dhs95 minim spend. Expect picnic benches, fake grass and all the other touches to make it feel like you’re in a proper fan zone.Open throughout World Cup for fixtures only. Fairmont the Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 457 345).

garden on 8Media types who are looking for a quick escape from the office in time for kick off should leg it straight over to garden on 8, where the bar’s massive terrace will be covered over to create a special World Cup tent. With loads of screens (and one huge one) dotted around the terrace area, and with tonne of drinks promos, events and more to celebrate the tournament, you needn’t look further.Open Sun-Wed noon-midnight; Thu-Sat noon-3am. Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City (04 427 1000).KickersThis cracking hangout in Dubai Sports City has put up some cracking fan zones for previous World Cups, so we’re looking forward to more of the same this time around. Think various footie mini-games you can play, tonnes of competitions to win, screens everywhere, foosball, pool tables and more knocking about. We can’t wait for this one.Open Sun-Wed 1pm-2am; Thu-Sat noon-2am. Football Zone, Sports village, Dubai Sports City (04 448 1001).

Lock Stock & Barrel JBR – The WalkA dedicated fan zone called The Secret Garden is being set up at our Bar of the Year. With its own private bar, a grassy area, all the action and a bunch of food and drink deals, you’ll be set for the match. Throughout the tournament you’ll be able to get buy-four-get-two-free on bottles of hops, every Monday night for the tournament you can also join the curry club for Dhs79 which dishes up a whole curry, rice and naan bread with a house drink. The same applies on Wednesday, where you can pick select menu items with a drink for Dhs79, too. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-3am, Fri 1pm-3am, Sat 2pm-3am. Rixos Premium Dubai, JBR (04 392 7120).

Lock Stock & Barrel Barsha HeightsOn the upper deck of this massive Barsha Heights bar you’ll find a dedicated fan zone with big screens, loads of fan gear plus drinks deals. With every match of the tournament being screened on every screen in this cavernous bar, you won’t miss any of the action. With buy-four-get-two-free on bottles of hops, you’ll be set for the match.Open Sun-Thu 4pm-3am, Fri noon-3am, Sat 2pm-3am. Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights (04 514 9195).

Reform Social & GrillThis proper Brit pub is going all out for the World Cup, launching “Your Local Fanzone” throughout the tourney. Straight off the bat, there’ll be a specially-constructed air conditioned tent with a big screen showing every match, There’ll be happy hour prices on tonnes of different drinks (for matches between noon and 7pm), plus loads of games and prizes to be won. You’ll also be able to get special dishes for less, with a World Cup menu featuring burger and chips, fish and chips or a British balti (all including a pint) for Dhs99, or a Dhs225 package including a tonne of British bar bites (think mini burgers, scotch eggs, fries et al) plus five hops during all matches on after 7pm. Booking in advance is recommended.Prices vary. Daily noon-7pm. Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Emirates Living (04 545 2638).

The CourtyardHead to Manzil Downtown for some fan zone action, where an outdoor air-conditioned tent will be opening up for the tournament. With a minimum spend of Dhs150 per person, you’ll be able to get your hands on some special drinks and bites to eat from a dedicated World Cup menu while watching the game on some huge TV screens. There’ll also be foosball, PS4 and face painting (intended for the little ones, we guess, but that’s not going to stop us).Dhs150 minimum spend. Open daily noon-5am. Manzil Downtown, Downtown Dubai (04 888 3444).

[u]bkWant to win a keg of hops during the World Cup? Read on. With four different areas dedicated to catching the match, plus 19 TVs and two huge projector screens, you’re in for a treat at this funky JLT bar. Throughout the tournament you’ll be able to get an unlimited two-hour drinks package during each game for Dhs99, while there’ll also be a range of mini games and even a PlayStation tournament. Buy a tower of hops for Dhs125, and sign up for the tourney, where you can even win a keg of hops.Open Sun-Thu noon-3am; Fri-Sat 9.30am-3am. Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, JLT (04 438 0000).

XL DubaiUsually a nightclub, this JBR spot is transforming itself for match day throughout the tournament, and is giving away some big prizes too. Daily prizes are being given away include free entry to any chosen match day plus a free drink, ranging up to a table worth Dhs5,000 for ten people to enjoy the final. There’ll also be live entertainment after the last match of each day. Open daily, 4pm-3am. Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, JBR (052 634 1040).

Bars:

Areia Beach Bar & GrillThis cool little beach and pool bar will be dishing up some special food, drink and bucket deals throughout the World Cup, but what sets this place apart is something a teensy bit different. With TV screen lining the pool, and a floating bar, you’ll be able to watch all the games without having to leave the swimming pool. We’re getting ready to prune, because we probably won’t be leaving this place for a month.Open daily 11am-11pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach, JBR (055 166 8092).

Bay ClubThis relaxed, poolside bar will be going big for the World Cup. Head along to Business Bay for a range of deals and promotions during the tournament. On top of the daily happy hour (offering food and drinks for Dhs30), you can get buckets of hops from Dhs159, a burger and a hops for Dh85 and a range of national cuisines during select matches from Dhs30. On top of that, correctly guess the score of the match and get two free drinks for the next game.Open daily 10am-2am. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay (04 551 1544).

Bidi BondiAustralia will be at the World Cup, so expect this place to be rammo for at least the first fortnight of the tournament. Found among the Shoreline apartments on the Palm, this Aussie-themed sports bar will do the trick. Home to some massive tellies, plus a decent brekkie and cracking burger, Palmies won’t be needing to head anywhere else for the month.

BigglesAt this proper English themed pub you’ll be able to catch every single match throughout the tournament. Seventeen different screens will be showing all the games, with private booths also available, as well as a range of different drinks deals throughout the month-long footie festival. Open daily noon-2am. Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, Garhoud (04 702 8888).

Bridgewater TavernOne of our favourite sports bars in the city, this antipodean bar has a load of screens, and properly livens up around kick off. Expect a bunch of deals on food and drinks, with a range of different areas and viewing options for everyone. Open daily 4pm-2am. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Business Bay (04 414 3000).

Café BelgeGet ready for the big kick off party, as this classy 1920s-themed Belgian restaurant and bar cannot wait for the tournament to arrive. It’s keeping things strictly local, though, and Belgian nationals will be able to get a 40 percent discount (if you can prove your nationality) on food and drinks during Belgium’s matches.Open daily noon-2am. The Ritz-Carlton DIFC (04 372 2323).

Champions Sports BarThroughout the entire World Cup, this fantastic underground sports bar at the JW Marriott Dubai in Deira is offering a whopping great 50 percent off specially selected food and drink items from noon until 9pm every day. That’ll see you right for pretty much every game of the tournament (barring a few exceptionally late kick offs). With live music, pool and a whole bunch of neon lights, this is a darkened sports bar hidey hole at its best.Open daily, noon-3am. JW Marriott Dubai, Deira (04 607 7977).

DOME DubaiUsually a pumping club twice a week, this gothic-looking party hotspot will be swinging its doors open from noon every day during the World Cup to screen matches. Get free entry and special rates on drinks from 4pm until 8pm. Open daily (during World Cup) noon-2am. Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City (056 992 6774).

HarvestersWith eight screens, a giant projector and a tonne of match day offers, Harvesters is running a fan zone for the tournament. Open every day from Thursday June 14 until Sunday July 15, the bar will be offering 20 percent off your bill if you’re wearing your team’s shirt, get five bottles of hops for Dhs110, and if you can correctly guess the score before kick-off, you’ll win some cool prizes.

Le Petit Belge, Motor CityThe newest expansion of one of the city’s most popular Belgian bars is offering the same World Cup deals as its JLT-based older sister, with a range of dining and drinks promotions available for every match.

Le Petit Belge, JLTUndoubtedly one of the most popular bars in JLT, Le Petit Belge is offering selected drinks for Dhs30 during matches, loaded fries for Dhs25, burger and a drink for Dhs100, and a bucket of drinks with five mini hotdogs for Dhs250. With four sizeable screens in the bar area, you won’t find it hard to get the perfect view.Prices vary. Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat 10am-3am. Pullman Dubai Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster T, JLT (04 242 7794).

LinksOver at Address Montgomerie, club house bar-meets-pub Links is going big for the World Cup, and you can watch the match with the awesome Dubai Marina skyline in the background, along with the club’s driving range. Head along from 5pm on match days and enjoy some pre- and post-match happy hours and food deals.

Maison MathisOver in Arabian Ranches, you can get your hands on a whole host of different food and drink deals during World Cup matches, including nachos for Dhs59, sharing platters from Dhs69, selected drinks, towers and buckets from Dhs35, Dhs225 and Dhs169 respectively. There are also free drinks on offer if you arrive with ten of your mates. Prices vary. Open daily 7am-2am. Arabian Ranches Golf Club (04 450 1313).

McGettigan’s JLTIt’s a crying shame that the Irish aren’t at this year’s World Cup (you can thank a Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark for that), because this place would have somehow been even more awesome if the chaps from the Emerald Isle had made it to Russia. With more than 30 telly screens indoors and out (you might prefer indoor by the time summer rolls around), plus a whopping great projector at The Baggot, you will be hard pressed to find a better watering hole for the occasion. Open daily noon-3am. Bonnington Hotel, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (04 378 0800).

Neighbourhood Social House & EateryHead over to Courtyard by Marriott, Greens Community, and you’ll be able to get your hands on some selected drinks for Dhs40 during happy hour from 6pm until 8pm with which to enjoy the game. Head over at 5pm for the day’s earlier kick off, and you’ll be able to enjoy the bar’s “power hour”, with another 20 percent taken off happy hour prices – coming in at a very reasonable Dhs32 each. Open daily noon-2am. Courtyard by Marriott, Greens Community (04 885 2222).

Nezesaussi Grill Downtown DubaiA former winner of Best Sports Bar at the Time Out Dubai Music & Nightlife Awards, this funky antipodean spot is offering up two beverages, plus chicken wings and a mysterious “special World Cup themed gift” for Dhs99. Its sister bar in Dubai Marina is also running the same promotion, so head along to either branch and get involved with the action. Dhs99. Open daily noon-2am. Manzil Downtown, Downtown Dubai (04 428 5888). The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina (04 436 7777).

Player Sports LoungeThis brand-new bar at the Sofitel Downtown recently opened, and there’s a good chance this sports bar has the best views of any sporty spot in the city. With screens available on practically every surface, you’ll always have a great view of the match.Open Sat-Wed noon-2am; Thu-Fri noon-3am. Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Downtown Dubai (04 503 6128).

The 44If you’re after a sophisticated spot for catching the game, with some cool tunes, a decent 50 percent off happy hour from 4pm until 8pm, some bar sports and even a game of bowling while you watch the match, then look no further than The 44. This sports bar-meets-gentleman’s club at the Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City has a load of screens and tonnes going on.

Open daily noon-2am. Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City (04 437 3333).

The Belgian CaféDown at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, this Belgian bar is serving up a whole bunch of massive screens for every game. During every match you’ll be able to get your hands on drinks from Dhs20, sharing platter deals for Dhs120, and the “Kick-Off Party” on Thursday June 14 from 4pm, with a bunch of free drinks being offered up by the bar in anticipation of the opening match. During Belgium matches you’ll also be able to get free bar snacks every time the team scores, with more offers on, too. Prices vary. Open Sun-Thu noon-2am, Fri-Sat noon-3am. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim (04 447 0227).

The Big EasyNamed after golfing legend Ernie Els, The Big Easy is going to be showing all the matches this year, and has got a Dhs125 minimum spend in place for the group stage matches. For the knockout stages it’ll be Dhs3459 per person, but on Tuesdays both guys and girls will be able to get five glasses of bubbly or mixed drinks for just Dhs100 from 5pm until 8pm.

The Boston BarAs the World Cup kicks off, this bar (based on US sitcom Cheers) is offering a range of different food and drink deals to celebrate. Head along every day from 12.30pm until 3am and join in with a load of competitions, with discount prices starting from Dhs34. Prices vary. Open daily 12.30pm-3am. Jumeira Rotana, 2nd December Street, Satwa (04 345 5888).

The Tap HouseThis gastropub on the Palm Jumeirah’s Club Vista Mare is going all out for the World Cup. With one massive screen and loads of smaller tellies knocking about, the bar already has the hardware for it, but it’s also going to be running something called the Rewards Passport. Spend Dhs200 at the bar until the end of the tournament, and you’ll get 50 different special offers on food and drink to use daily during the World Cup until the final on Saturday June 15.Open daily noon-2am. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah (04 514 3778).

The UndergroundWe think it’s the Best Sports Bar in Dubai – so much so that we gave it that very title at our Music & Nightlife Awards earlier this year. With dozens of screens dotted around this London Underground-themed pub in JBR, this is one spot where you’ll never miss a kick. There’s a strong daily happy hour (with drinks available for Dhs27), plus great grub, pool tables and more. With a huge projector screen in the middle of the bar, this will be one of the most popular spots in town during the tournament.Open daily noon-3am. Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, JBR (04 408 4257).

Tr!BeCa Kitchen + BarThis New York-inspired bar (based on the neighbourhood of the same name) is running a really cool promotion during the World Cup. You’d want to hope to be Brazilian or German, because throughout the tournament, Tr!BeCa is offering a free drink to everyone whose national team wins. Bring your ID to prove your nationality, and if your boys have only gone and done it, you’ll get a free bevvie. Open daily noon-3am. JA Oceanview Hotel, JBR (050 345 6067).

Trophy RoomThis brand-new bar only opened a fortnight before the World Cup kicks off, so expect a super shiny finish and wide-eyed enthusiasm from all the bar staff. Not only will the bar have a special set of promotions running for the World Cup (coupled with what it’s calling the “longest happy hour on Sheikh Zayed Road”), but the bar will also serve a bunch of high-class bar snacks – think golden fries, and the like. With 11 screens in total,

Open daily noon-2am. Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 311 8316).

Wavebreaker Beach StadiumDown at JBR you’ll be able to head to a fully air-conditioned and smoke-free fan zone tent at Wavebreaker, the beach bar and grill. Every match will be screened live, and there are a range of food and beverage options available too, with a variety of deals starting from Dhs150. You’ll also get beach access with your purchases, and there are kid-friendly zones and activities. Prices vary. Open during every World Cup match. Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, JBR (04 318 2319).

WXYZ, Aloft Me’AisamAt the brand-new Aloft Me’Aisam in Production City, you’ll be able to catch every game in the WXYZ bar or by the pool with a minimum spend of Dhs100 (plus Dhs49 for poolside). There’ll be a range of food and drink promotions available, including themed nachos with your choice of German, Spanish, Argentinian, Brazilian or Russian toppings. All dishes will come with drinks options available. Dhs100 minimum spend. Open during every World Cup match. Aloft Me’Aisam, Production City (04 248 7070).

VantageHead along to this lofty bar at the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates, where you’ll find some big screens ready to show the game. For every match during the tournament, you’ll be able to get unlimited select drinks during each match for Dhs150 per person. If all the action gets too much, head out on the terrace for some perfect views northwards towards Downtown Dubai.Open daily 11am-2am. Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha (04 377 2356).